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There’s lots of great ways to enjoy the winter. Sledding, ice skating, and the chance to wear big puffy coats and heavy boots. Of course, there’s also winter weather to consider and so far, we’ve seen it all: cold, wind, snow, and some sunny days too. Now that we’re about halfway through such an unpredictable winter, we thought it might be a good time to give you 5 things to think about when it comes to keeping your family safe.

Car Seats and Winter Coats. We know you want your little ones to be warm, but please don’t buckle your child into a car seat while wearing a bulky coat. The coat can compress in a crash and create a loose car seat harness, putting your child at greater risk of injury in the event of a crash. Instead, lay the jacket over your children like a blanket once they’re safely secured.

Sleep Safety. Extra blankets can seem so cozy in a baby’s crib but soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need for your baby to sleep well. If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm on those cold winter nights, try using a sleepsack (wearable blanket). They’re pretty cozy, too.

Winter Sports. Kids love to push the limits when they’re skiing or snowboarding. Make sure they wear helmets and other proper gear to keep them safe if they fall on the slopes. Kids also might not be inclined to drink as much water when they’re playing in cold weather because they don’t get as hot. Remind them to stay properly hydrated.

Carbon Monoxide. This is a great time to make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm on every level, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. If you’re warming up a vehicle, don’t forget to remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. It’s extremely dangerous to leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage.

Fire Safety. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. Here’s a handy worksheet to help get you started. And remember to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. More tips on fire.

John P. Faber Elementary School walked in the 10th Annual International Walk Your Child to School Day. More than 300 parents, students, Fed Ex volunteers and school staff participated, enjoying the beautiful day, getting some exercise and having fun while learning what it takes to be safe pedestrians!

Faber School’s Walk Your Child to School day event was aided by the Dunellen Police Department, who provided safe escort through town to the school. Superintendent Pio Pennisi and Mayor Robert Seader walked with the students, as they do every year, to show their support of this special event.

Safe Kids Worldwide has released new info that could help protect kids in cars. The results may surprise you. In a survey of more than 1,000 parents, 1 in 4 say they’ve driven without buckling up their kids.

But here’s where it gets even more interesting: the research found that younger, more educated and affluent parents are more likely to take a risk and ride with their kids unbuckled in a car. Read the research report to learn more about this troubling new trend and what you can do to fix it. http://issuu.com/safekids/docs/cps_study_2013?e=4874392/4831654

Saturday, September 21, 2013Safe Kids Bergen County – Children In and Around Cars
(Note: This is a great family activity, but not a car seat check)
Paramus Auto Mall
194 N State Route 17
Paramus, NJ
Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Safe Kids New Jersey mourns the loss of former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, who died Monday at the age of 96. While Dr. Koop will be remembered most for his straightforward talk about AIDS and a deep commitment to telling the truth about smoking, he was also a great champion for child safety. Dr. Koop served as the Founding Chairman of the National Safe Kids Campaign.

“If a disease were killing our children at the rate that unintentional injuries are,” Dr. Koop said, “the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped.”

His commitment and passion paved the way for a movement that has had a dramatic impact on the lives of so many children and families around the world. Dr. Koop will always remain an inspiration to us as we continue our work with the dedication and focus that are his legacy to children the world over.

A new report released today by Safe Kids Worldwide and SANUS revealed that every three weeks, a child dies from a television tipping over and nearly 13,000 more children are injured each year in the U.S. This represents a 31 percent increase in TV tip-over related injuries over the last ten years.

“Every 45 minutes, or less than the length of a Sesame Street episode, a child visits the ER because of a TV tipping over,” said Carol Ann Giardelli, Director, Safe Kids New Jersey. Nearly 2,000 children in NJ visited the Emergency Room in 2008 as a result of injuries due to TV tip-overs according to New Jersey’s Center for Health Statistics. Tragically, six New Jersey children were killed between 2008 and 2012 due to televisions falling on them. All of these children were under the age of five.

The report also revealed that three out of four parents don’t secure their TV to the wall. Most families are unaware that securing a TV is an important safety measure. Others decide not to mount their TVs because of concerns about damaging the wall or installing the TV incorrectly.

Safe Kids New Jersey together with its local coalitions are launching a statewide effort to prevent injuries from TV and furniture tip-overs and educate communities by calling on families to conduct a quick TV safety check, which includes the following steps:

Check Your TV. Assess the stability of the TVs in your home. Remember, a curious, determined child can topple a TV. Children playing with friends or pets could knock a TV over, while other kids might be tempted to climb up to reach items placed on or near a TV, such as remote controls or candy.

Secure Your TV. Securing your TV to the wall is a safe solution. Much like child proofing with a toddler gate or electrical socket cover, TV mounts and furniture straps are necessary precautions for keeping your family safe.

The effects of Hurricane Sandy are unprecedented and Safe Kids NJ/Central Jersey Family Health Consortium continue to work with the community so that everyone can once again be whole and their families safe.